437th Airlift Wing celebrates 50 years in Charleston

JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, SC -- C-130s from the Charleston Air Force Base fly over the Charleston peninsula in the early 1960’s. Only a few years later, they were replaced by the C-141. The next year, on January 8, 1966, the 437th Military Airlift Wing took over as Charleston AFB’s host unit. When placed under the newly formed Air Mobility Command in 1992, the unit became the 437th Airlift Wing. A year later, on July 14, 1993, the first C-17 was delivered to the 437th AW. (Courtesy Photo)

437th Airlift Wing celebrates 50 years in Charleston

JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, SC -- President Lyndon B. Johnson visited Pope AFB, N.C. to initiate Operation Bonny Jack, the no-notice combat airlift of the 82d Airborne Division to Vietnam. The 12-day operation was an outstanding success, finishing 23.5 hours ahead of schedule. The C-141 Starlifter from the 437th Military Airlift Wing and other C-133 aircraft flew 161 missions, airlifted 3,719 troops and 2,273.3 tons of cargo and established a 99 percent on-load reliability rate. (Courtesy Photo)

437th Airlift Wing celebrates 50 years in Charleston

JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, SC -- Operation Nickel Grass was the US response to the arming of Arab nations by the Soviet Union after Syria and Egypt attacked Israeli outposts in the Golan Heights and Sinai Peninsula. During the operation, aircraft from the US supplied Israel with military equipment to include missiles and ammunition. Crews from the 437th Military Airlift Wing flew 122 Nickel Grass missions from Charleston AFB with 113 terminating at Tel Aviv, flying over 5,000 hours and delivering over 3,000 tons of equipment. (Courtesy Photo)

437th Airlift Wing celebrates 50 years in Charleston

JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, SC -- The 20th Military Airlift Squadron airlifted a Risso Dolphin named Mom, from Boston to Kaneohe, Hawaii. The dolphin was assigned to the U.S. Navy's underwater security and test program that utilized specially trained dolphins. According to Major Frank Metzger, the crew had to keep the temperature in the cargo compartment so low, that the dolphin's spray would freeze on the floor. The cold temperatures supposedly prevented undue psychological harm to the dolphin during the flight. (Courtesy Photo)

437th Airlift Wing celebrates 50 years in Charleston

JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, SC -- Brig. Gen. Thomas Mikolajcik, 437th Airlift Wing commander, addresses a crowd of distinguished guests at a ceremony honoring the arrival of the first U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III cargo plane to Charleston Air Force Base, June 14, 1993. The wing continued receiving C-17s over the next 20 years and now shares the title of the largest C-17 fleet in the Air Force. (Courtesy Photo)

437th Airlift Wing celebrates 50 years in Charleston

JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, SC -- In support of OIF, 15 C-17As from the 437th and 62nd AWs took off from Aviano AB, Italy, and airdropped 1,000 Sky Soldiers. At a staging base in Europe, C-17s from McChord AFB and Charleston AFB line the pad in preparation for airdrop and airland missions to Iraq. On the first night, they dropped 20 members of the 86th Expeditionary Contingency Response Group along with more than a thousand paratroopers (Sky Soldiers) from the 173d Airborne Brigade. This marked the first C-17 combat insertion of paratroopers. On subsequent nights, they delivered more than a million pounds of personnel and cargo. (Courtesy Photo)

437th Airlift Wing celebrates 50 years in Charleston

JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, SC -- Water hoses welcome the Spirit of Charleston C-17 Globemaster III as it taxis in after successfully logging more than 20,000 flight hours Dec. 18, 2013, at Joint Base Charleston - Air Base, S.C. The Spirit of Charleston was the first C-17 in the U.S. Air Force's inventory and has flown missions throughout the world for more than two decades. (Courtesy Photo)

437 AW Commander Reflects on Wing's 50 Years in Charleston

Published Jan. 7, 2016
By Capt. Christopher Love
628th Air Base Wing/Public Affairs

JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, SC -- Fifty years ago, on Jan. 8, 1966, the 437th Airlift Wing began its presence in Charleston, SC. In the ensuing half-century, the U.S. would be involved all over the globe, and the Airmen from the 437 AW often played a part--a role that continues today.

In honor of this historic occasion for the airlift wing, its present commander, Col. Johnny Lamontagne, agreed to share some thoughts.

Q1) How does it feel to command the 437th Airlift Wing during this important milestone in its history?

A1) If I could only use one word it would be "Lucky." Commanding this wing is a very humbling experience each and every day. It's also a lot of fun to work with such a great military and civilian team in an amazing community.

Q2) Throughout its history, the 437 AW has seen numerous people and airframes come and go. Are there any constants that unite the wing?

A2) Three words: Rapid Global Mobility. This means moving people and cargo where they're needed most, when they're needed most--from paratroopers to armored vehicles to medical supplies. We've done this from Vietnam to Grenada, Panama, Desert Shield/Storm, the Balkans, Somalia, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom or our current operations around the world. We've played a big part in the rapid global mobility enterprise since we arrived in Charleston in 1966, regardless of what airplane we were flying...C-124, C-130, C-141, C-5 or the C-17. I suspect that our leadership in the Rapid Global Mobility enterprise will remain a constant over the next 50 years as well.

Q3) You've commanded the 437 AW for the last 19 months. During that time, has there been a particular mission that personally convicted you about the importance of the wing's mobility mission to national defense?

A3) It's tough to pick out one mission in particular, so I think I would highlight the diversity of what we do...from the challenging airland combat missions in Afghanistan and Iraq; to the airdrop training we conduct with the 82d Airborne; to the occasional airdrop missions in Iraq and Syria; or the special ops community that we support. I'm also very proud of our ability to move from one challenging mission to another very quickly, whether that's training with the 82d Airborne Division at Pope or executing combat missions deep in Afghanistan or Iraq.

Q4) If you could look into the future, where would you hope to see the 437 AW, operationally, in another 50 years?

A4) Continue to move the rapid global mobility mission set forward. If you think about it, we are truly powered by Airmen and fueled by innovation. Our Air Force has come a long way, both in terms of the technology we use and the tactics, techniques, and procedures we refine over time to expand our capabilities. None of that greatness happens without our Airmen and civilians and their ability to develop and improve on our capabilities.

Q5) Let's turn our focus from operations to the community. What is the significance of this milestone from our perspective as Lowcountry neighbors?

A5) Since we arrived here in Charleston in 1966, we have received tremendous support from the community. If the next 50 years are half as successful as the past, then we will be in great shape. It's no surprise that many of our military members and DoD civilians retire in this community when they finish their careers. That's been happening for fifty years and I suspect it will continue for another half-century as well.

Q6) In light of that, would you like to say anything to the community?

A6) This time I'll use two words..."Thank you" for your support of our military members, civilians, and their families. Just about everyone on our team absolutely loves it here, and many of us return a couple of times over during our careers. It is a very special place for a lot of us. Thank you for making us feel so welcome and for your tremendous support over the last 50 years!

Q7) Finally, the 437th AW wouldn't exist without the Airmen, Civilians and Contractors who comprise it. Do you have any parting words for them?

A7) You are very good at what you do--the best I've ever seen. Thank you for the outstanding work you do every day, and please let us know how we can make the job easier or improve the quality of life in the 437th Airlift Wing. This wing's excellence preceded my arrival, and I am confident it will continue long after I'm gone. I am truly honored to serve in this wing alongside you.